Hatem Zidi

A personal list of cars that made an impression before I knew how to explain why — through design, through engineering, through a screen, or through a child's-eye view of a car park.

Architects say they provide options, not decisions.

When architects let personal motivation drive technical decisions, they end up solving their own problem rather than the one that actually needs solving.

Three exits, one pattern: the signals arrive long before the decision, and learning to read them earlier is what separates a strategic exit from an expensive lesson.

AI didn't replace expertise, it made expertise-shaped output cheap.

Quality is subjective.

“The difference between good and bad architecture is the time you spend on it.” – David Chipperfield There is a specific kind of architect that worries me.

I was in the war room at 2 AM, staring to the aftermath of what was supposed to be our next evolutionary leap.

“True friends are never apart, maybe in distance but never in heart.” — Helen Keller Friendships don’t always end with fights.

Show me an architecture no one questions, and I’ll show you a system no one understands.

Consulting rule #1: Smile, nod, and translate chaos into meaning.

A few years ago, I took a week off.

Overengineered systems don't fail by being wrong.

I’ve been wondering how to celebrate this milestone.

I was never into the whole American dream thing.

A question has been raised about the future of the architect role with the rise of AI.

So there I was, 8 years old, dragged to the shopping center by my dad because, apparently, shopping for socks is a family event.

If, after quitting your job, you hear or get notified about your ex-leader doing these : Speaking negatively about your departure Undermining your decision by criticizing you, your new role or company Attempting to make you feel guilty Spreading resentment

Back in 2014, I was at a meeting with a prominent French bank about a challenging project.

Imagine, if you will, that building a SaaS application is like constructing the perfect sports car.

Many call it architecture; others call it wizardry.

“I hate and categorically refuse quick wins”, I angrily yelled.

Being an Architect is like being a conductor1 in an orchestra.

After a heavy lunch break with a team, Dorian, one (among others) young and competent developer, enthusiastically asked me: “How does someone become an Architect, and what’s the path to follow and what to learn to be one?”

As I am in my late 40ies, I’ll be closing my 25th year as an IT engineer this year and my 20th year as an architect.